A "who’s who" in law and local government, including more than 30 judges, gathered in Thurston High School’s auditorium last week for the investiture ceremony of new Judge Krista Haroutunian.

Recently appointed to the 17th District Court in Redford Township, Haroutunian is filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Charlotte Wirth. She joins Judge Karen Khalil, chief judge of the Redford court.

Haroutunian expressed sincere gratitude “to all my friends and family who have been with me through this journey.” Overcoming many difficulties “taught me perseverance that eventually allowed me to achieve this great honor of becoming a Redford Township district court judge,” she said.

Haroutunian practiced law for 20 years with Haroutunian Licata Haroutunian, the Bingham Farms law firm of her parents, Edward Haroutunian and Susan Licata Haroutunian.

Specializing in probate, estate planning, family law and real estate, Haroutunian also worked as a special assistant attorney general with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Khalil served as master of ceremonies, welcoming Haroutunian to the bench, introducing dignitaries and guests and hosting a reception that followed the investiture.

After the call to order by 17th District Court officer Donald Lancaster, the Rev. Dr. Vahan Tootikian and the Rev. Hrant Kevorkian offered the invocation. The clergymen are friends of the Haroutunians who share the family’s Armenian heritage.

“May God give Judge Haroutunian a mind that is open, a conscience that is sensitive and a spirit that is open, unyielding and courageous,” Tootikian said. Kevorkian offered the new jurist a blessing in Armenian: “Being American-Armenians, we are proud to be American, but never forget our heritage and language."

Redford District Judge Krista Haroutunian says that while there is much to learn as she takes the bench, the transition from advocate to judge has been a smooth and positive one, due to the guidance of Judge Karen Khalil and the court staff.(Photo: James Dotson)

Susy Avery, co-director of the Michigan Political Leadership Program, called Haroutunian’s appointment to the bench a natural progression, given the family’s history. She reminisced about Haroutunian’s grandfather, Detroit civil rights advocate Anthony Licata, who ran for state representative against Jimmy Hoffa Jr. despite huge odds, and won, in 1967.

“I can testify that Krista has carried her family’s legacy of stewardship to our great state with an unflinching devotion for victims, whether it be by furthering efforts to end human trafficking, as she served on the Michigan Women’s Commission, or serving with distinction on the Wayne County Board of Canvassers during very turbulent times,” Avery said. “She always made sure everyone was heard and that their civil rights were protected.”

Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Michael Riordan has known the family for decades. He quoted from an Armenian Weekly article about the Haroutunians he read in 2014: “Krista arrives here today on the shoulders of her elders. Her grandfather, a barber, and grandmother, a homemaker, fled the genocide in Armenia and made it here to Pontiac."

Attorney General Bill Schuette also congratulated Haroutunian, recalling his own investiture as a state Court of Appeals judge and listing qualities that will serve Haroutunian well.

“Krista has a great personality and is a disciplined lawyer,” Schuette said. “She is vibrant and that is important as a judge. She has great legal skills. She is talented. She understands the community and neighborhood, which is key as you attempt to grasp issues that come before you.”

Haroutunian’s parents, who recently marked 50 years in the practice of law, presented their daughter with her judicial robe. Administering the oath of office was retired 3rd Circuit Judge Robert J. Colombo, filling in for Michigan Supreme Court Justice Brian Zahra, who was ill with the flu.